zarleyzalapskisarmy wrote:No one has ever been able to tell me exactly WHY this is "bad manners"

It's become a mark of respect to take them off during a meal, funerals, church service, when you greet someone in the street, or any other occasion when you want to signify that you respect the person. That's where the term, "I take my hat off to you" originated.

Killiecrankie wrote:Somebody forget to teach gogo manners, take the damn hat off at the table.

No one has ever been able to tell me exactly WHY this is "bad manners"

My guess: Hands were never supposed to be under the table -- people thought others would be passing notes. With that type of mistrust at the table, a hat could allow the wearer to avoid eye contact. The eyes have traditionally been regarded as the window to the soul. It would not be proper to try and hide your true self from the others at the table!!!

KG wrote:I live on Long Island. I went to a local Olive Garden. It's not like it's that much cheaper then "a real restaurant", I would rather pay the extra to get the real thing, that's all...

I generally spend less at Olive Garden than I do when I go to Wendy's, and I eat a lot more at Olive Garden. Of course, I got at lunch for the greatest lunch special there is that doesn't make you feel sick(aka the pizza hut buffet).

The food's clean, just really bad for you. Like, eating lard level of bad for you. ESPECIALLY the breadsticks. ~130 calories per, if they're made to spec, which they're not. There's always way too much "butter" on them for specification, so I'd expect closer to 200 calories per breadstick.

maudineormsby wrote:As a former waiter at the Olive Garden, I wouldn't eat there.

The food's clean, just really bad for you. Like, eating lard level of bad for you. ESPECIALLY the breadsticks. ~130 calories per, if they're made to spec, which they're not. There's always way too much "butter" on them for specification, so I'd expect closer to 200 calories per breadstick.

maudineormsby wrote:As a former waiter at the Olive Garden, I wouldn't eat there.

The food's clean, just really bad for you. Like, eating lard level of bad for you. ESPECIALLY the breadsticks. ~130 calories per, if they're made to spec, which they're not. There's always way too much "butter" on them for specification, so I'd expect closer to 200 calories per breadstick.

You say that like its a bad thing. Eating healthy is for losers.

Fair enough. I guess after watching extremely overweight people shove breadsticks in their face for four years, I'm a little sensitive. Also, I know how to make most everything on the menu (I was a prep cook for a while); I still make the alfredo sauce (with modifications) when I want alfredo, despite the 800+ calories in a plate.

maudineormsby wrote:As a former waiter at the Olive Garden, I wouldn't eat there.

The food's clean, just really bad for you. Like, eating lard level of bad for you. ESPECIALLY the breadsticks. ~130 calories per, if they're made to spec, which they're not. There's always way too much "butter" on them for specification, so I'd expect closer to 200 calories per breadstick.

You say that like its a bad thing. Eating healthy is for losers.

Fair enough. I guess after watching extremely overweight people shove breadsticks in their face for four years, I'm a little sensitive. Also, I know how to make most everything on the menu (I was a prep cook for a while); I still make the alfredo sauce (with modifications) when I want alfredo, despite the 800+ calories in a plate.

Well yeah, I guess i'm lucky, because I eat disgusting food on a regular basis(and by disgusting I mean very fattening/unhealthy), and yet with my fortunate metabolism and the amount of physical activity that I partake in, I don't gain weight.

Now, The Cheesecake Factory is another beast. The girlfriend and I will probably go tomorrow to spend her $50 gift card, but that's after driving 35 minutes to the South Side to get there. As the crow flies, Ross Park is closest, but stinkin' 22/30/279 South is the way we have to go. East Carson Street FTL.

czwalga wrote:Decent food for the money? I had some kind of shrimp pasta last time i was there it was like $14. I had like 6 shrimp the size of a quarter. The pasta sauce tasted equal to that you'd buy in a jar.

Also by far the worst chicken parmesean i've ever had. I'm not even sure how you can screw that up. Tasted horrible.

czwalga wrote:Decent food for the money? I had some kind of shrimp pasta last time i was there it was like $14. I had like 6 shrimp the size of a quarter. The pasta sauce tasted equal to that you'd buy in a jar.

Also by far the worst chicken parmesean i've ever had. I'm not even sure how you can screw that up. Tasted horrible.

You are never in a good mood are you?

I'm trying to figure out why someone would get something like chicken parmesean at a restaurant, why not order something a little harder to make on your own, like grilled cheese or a fruit rollup.